Long range transport of synaptic vesicles in axons requires microtubules

Several classes of proteins stabilise MTs by associating to the MT lattice by either promoting polymerisation or inhibiting MT catastrophe. The Tau class which include MAP2 and Tau itself bind via a positively charged tail which binds the negatively charged surface of the lattice. MAP2 is only found in dendrites where it forms fibrous cross-links between MTs and intermediate filaments. Tau is found in dendrites and axons and acts as a bridge between parallel MTs.